PhotoGal Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I gave ds an old mechanical pencil to take apart and he really enjoyed it. What other items can I give him? A clock? Telephone? Looking for things that wouldn't have lead/mercury inside or other hazards like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 https://sites.google.com/site/kidsbuildingthings/products/taking-things-apart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_midori Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Stapler, telephone (old type), car dash (don't ask...) - I think I might run to Savers sometime and pick up random kitchen appliances for my 7yo to rip apart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWOB Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Dh picked up an old laser printer at work for about $15. It was one of those big office printers that had reached the end of its life. We used it for a couple of years before it really, really died. I put it on the back porch, gave my kids screwdrivers, and let them have at it. They spent hours with that thing. Best $15 ever spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacie Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I enjoyed taking apart a kitchen timer (the kind with a dial, not the digital ones) when I was a kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I just went through my seven year old's toy box with him. We found a lot of McDonald's type Happy Meal toys to get rid of that he was interested in taking apart before we threw the pieces away. Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I don't recommend it, but ds really enjoyed taking apart my brand new vacuum cleaner when he was 3. He put it back together on command with no parts left over. I was in the room adjoining it crying. It still works 11 years later!:D I seriously doubt he could do it today.:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfcartmama Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I would say the Snap circuits might make good gifts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I help run a "take apart day" each year. We've had a sewing machine, cd players (which are great because they contain lots of gears and motors which you can use for other things), printers, various cooking appliances like a rice cooker and a bread machine, computer CPUs, and so on. The best source for this kind of thing is probably your neighbors' trash. And/or let folks know you want this stuff, and it will come to you. If you have someone who can recognize a motor, for example, you can actually make it work in some other contraption. We found that 9V batteries (those rectangular ones) worked best for this; they have a lot more voltage than the regular AA ones which I think are only 1.5V. You can also cut apart a string of Christmas lights and power them with a battery. I had a couple of cousins who would visit us every year, and they were quite a handful. One year, in part to corral their energy, my dad gave them a wrecked car to take apart. Much fun had by all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I remember my sister used to get old radios at second hand stores and garage sales for her son to take apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 My ds took apart an old computer when he was around 3rd grade age. He has also taken apart a couple of broken VCR's. He's pretty handy around the house now - fixes the garbage disposal when it gets stuck and replaces light bulbs. Reminds me, I think I'll have him replace the door stoppers over Christmas break (the little rubber things at the end of them have disappeared and their spring has sprung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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